Fishing for tourism opportunities in Botswana

Ngamiland, the northern district of Botswana, is set to benefit from plans to initiate several tourism activities that will enhance the diversification of its tourism products, thanks to the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Fishing tourism is growing in popularity, and the Ngamiland region is looking at capitalising on this with a number of fishing competitions and a festival at Lake Ngami; Tsodilo Challenge at Tsodilo Hills enclave; and the construction of a 4×4 trail from Tsodilo Hills – a World Heritage Site – to Gcwihaba National Monument, natural heritage site, as well as the construction of campsites in attractive areas in the villages that the trail will pass through.

These activities aim to attract tourists to the region, along with the associated revenue and employment opportunities, enhancing the livelihoods of the local communities. The UNDP is supporting the activities through its Sustainable Land Management Project (SLM) and working with some community trusts to spearhead the events.

SLM project co-ordinator, Innocent Magole, said there was a need to embark on tourism activities that would benefit the communities of Ngamiland as the SLM project was coming to an end. He added that currently, the Lake Ngami Conservation Trust was in negotiations with the Botswana Anglers’ Association to see if they could assist with organising the fishing activity scheduled for September.

With regard to the Tsodilo Challenge, Magole said the idea was to conduct it around the Tsodilo Hills. He said Tsodilo Trust had entered an agreement with Jwaneng Desert Bush Walk organisers, which attracts over 4 000 people yearly, to assist in spearheading the event.

The cultural festival night is also geared toward attracting groups from all villages affiliated with the trust, to showcase their unique cultural activities to tourists from across the globe.